Microsoft’s Satya Nadella on Productivity Solutions Strategy

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently sent an email to all employees detailing the company’s strategy to kick off the new fiscal year. In this letter, which you can read in its entirety on the Microsoft website, Nadella elaborated on the firm’s ambitions toward ubiquitous computing, where it hopes to become a leader productivity solutions in a mobile-first, cloud-first world.

Nadella’s email sets the stage for future discussions on Microsoft’s long-term direction, as the firm is holding its Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2014 conference next week in Washington, D.C. The WPC conference has traditionally been known as a place where Microsoft can easily share its goals and vision with its partners and constituents.

Nadella also made it clear that the company’s “devices and services” mantra, which had previously been put in motion by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, is something that Microsoft will no longer be using. Although this change might seem alarming, Nadella reassured that Microsoft is still committed to its devices, services, and hardware, which include the Surface Pro 3, Xbox One, and Office 365.

Nadella’s letter also provided details on the following:

Microsoft’s core. Nadella succinctly stated that Microsoft’s economic growth will be primarily driven by ‘dual users,’ or those who rely on technology for both their work and personal lives. Additionally, Microsoft is striving to serve as the number one productivity platform, where all of its services and devices are seamlessly connected.

Microsoft’s core mission in a mobile-first, cloud-first world (Image: Microsoft)

Cloud OS. Again speaking to meeting productivity needs, Nadella stated that Microsoft’s cloud OS will help organizations “accelerate their businesses and power all of their data and application needs.” Similarly, Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility Suite is an example of how the firm works to help organizations keep their networks and environments secure so organization’s employees can work efficiently with their Windows, iOS, and Android devices.

In speaking on how to achieve these goals, Nadella stated that “nothing is off the table” with respect on how Microsoft will shift its strategy toward actionable tasks that achieve its goals. Furthermore, Nadella’s email suggests that rapid changes may lie ahead, where he wrote:

“Organizations will change. Mergers and acquisitions will occur. Job responsibilities will evolve. New partnerships will be formed. Tired traditions will be questioned. Our priorities will be adjusted. New skills will be built. New ideas will be heard. New hires will be made. Processes will be simplified. And if you want to thrive at Microsoft and make a world impact, you and your team must add numerous more changes to this list that you will be enthusiastic about driving.”

Nadella also noted that the month of July will serve as a dialogue to elaborate on these concepts that were mentioned in his memo. In addition to WPC 2014, Microsoft will also be holding its earnings call on July 22, along with Microsoft’s sales conference MGX and //oneweek, which is an event that’s help solely for Microsoft employees.

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